Japan and South Korea count costs of Saudi soccer’s spending spree

Sports

Foreign-player rules and budgets hamper East Asian clubs in the AFC Champions League

Players from Saudi club Al Ahli celebrate after beating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale to win the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 3. © Reuters

JOHN DUERDEN

September 14, 2025 10:09 JST

SEOUL — South Korea and Japan are the most successful nations in Asian club soccer in terms of overall titles won, but few expect their teams to triumph in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite that starts on Monday. Instead, Saudi Arabia’s three clubs in the tournament — the richest on the continent — are strongly favored to repeat their domination of last season’s edition of Asia’s premier club competition.